Big Brother is Messing with Our Trucks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BigDave · 05-24-2002, 11:27 AM

Some of you may or may not be into street/track racing. However, just because you're not using these tires now doesn't mean you might not want to in the future. Speak up and help the rest of us how currently use these products while enjoying our hobby.

There is legislation pending that could either make DOT approved racing tires illegal, or just make them so expensive that they will be unaffordable to most or the manufacturers will simply stop making them.

The whole Firestone/Ford thing has caused this. If you feel as strongly as I do about this, then please follow the instructions contained in the link provided and let them know how you feel.

Remember, government isn't necessarily a bad thing when taken in moderation.

Check out:
http://www.hoosiertire.com/fmvsshlp.HTM

Please feel free to pass this around to any other boards/lists you are a member of.

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1972 Chevy Blazer 2WD - 400 SBC, bored, ported/polished heads, 9.5:1 dished pistons, Lunati 480/292 cam, electronic ignition, Edlebrock Performer intake, tricked out Rochester 850CFM Quadrajet, long tube headers, Flowmaster 40's, TH350-C with lock-up switch, 2800 rpm stall, shift kit, custom driveshaft, stock GM 12- bolt rear with Auburn Pro Series limited slip 3.73's, 2" drop spindles, 2" drop rear coils, track bar kit, front/rear stabilizers.

1999 30th Anniversary Trans-Am Coupe #1494 - M6, Flow-tech cut-out, Flowmaster, free mods. One of 292 coupes with M6 and in-dash CD.

*Randy70C-10* · 05-24-2002, 12:05 PM

And we all know that Firestone was responsible for all of the "left rear tires" that blew out on those Fords.

71BBK10 · 05-24-2002, 12:07 PM

i don't race or anything but i would like to see the bill that congress is passing or trying to pass. thanks

Mudder · 05-24-2002, 12:49 PM

firestone got ripped by ford! IMO.

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67 stepside 4x4 Owensville MO mudder67@hotmail.com

imaindianoutlaw · 05-24-2002, 12:50 PM

You Have got to be kidding me!

------------------
Charles W. Hein
S. Williamsport PA

imaindianoutlaw@yahoo.com

REFRIGERATION TECH

1968 Rolling chassis swb
1971 Rolling chassis lwb

FOR SALE
1963 Pontiac Tempest 2 dr
1956 Pontiac 2 dr complete for parts

Project1970 · 05-24-2002, 01:38 PM

Just my take on the Firestone/Ford deal - in my opinion, there were three parties responsible in each of the accidents, and each was equally responsible. Ford for making the Explorer as unstable as it is (granted, it's an SUV but it could've been wider), Firestone for making the flawed tires, and the end-user for abusing the flawed tires. From what I can tell, the tires were fine as long as they weren't ever abused - they couldn't be overloaded or underinflated at all. Which was the flaw in the design/manufacturing; a product should be able to stand up to some misuse and abuse to be safe. But many of the pics of rolled Explorers that I saw had one thing in common - the tire with delaminated tread was often on a steel wheel, like it was a spare, and the others were alloys like you almost always see on Explorers. Which leads me to believe it was underinflated, as nearly everyone's spare is to an extent.

And I've started ranting again. Sorry, I just partied too hard last night and I can't talk much, so I type more. =P

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Project 1970 - soon to be seen at http://milhouse.treylis.org:81/

Mike C · 05-24-2002, 01:51 PM

Most of the Firestones that failed were either 8 years old or 100k+ miles also. WAY beyond service life in addition to underinflation and overload. I saw an Exploder with a left rear tire off the rim this morning. Woman went round corner too fast on damp road. Tagged the curb with both drivers side tires, and it peeled the left rear off the rim. Obviously Firestone's fault she was a DUMB A$$. She is really lucky it stayed shiny side up. I rode in a guy's 2 door Exploder last summer to go look at a jeep. I've never been in ANYTHING that wagged it's butt so hard down the road. CJ-5 is MUCH more stable as ridiculous as that sounds.

------------------
70 GMC 3/4 ton Sierra Grande 402/TH400
72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's
64 Corvette Coupe
68 Camaro 'vert TPI & TH700
69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110
72 Datsun 240Z-ol' reliable

68 Suburban · 05-24-2002, 02:00 PM

ahh, Big brother is messing with your tires, not your trucks

thood · 05-24-2002, 02:34 PM

I posted a reply and coments at the link. I think that this is a misguided atempt to do the right thing. let me know if there are other things we can do to help.

------------------
70 swb restored by myself and some help from this bord!!
I hope to drive it some day!! portland OR

Maximum Overdrive · 05-24-2002, 02:56 PM

I had 4 of the firestones on my truck and there was nothing wrong with the tire. of coarse I keep my tires fully inflated. Firestones fault in this matter was to let ford misuse their product and not say anything about as they were more interested in sales then potential problems that could occur from this misuse down the road. The tires may have been ok to run with the lower pressure but as we all know most people do not run proper tire pressure so these tires were probably running pressure even lower then ford recommended.

70 Jimmy · 05-24-2002, 03:24 PM

Sounds like a "General Discussion" topic to me.

Alexis · 05-24-2002, 07:38 PM

i sent in a form, general board, hmm i dont know this part of the board gets looked at more so i think it should hold up for while at least. like maybe give it a week or so then move it. it not my call just my opinion

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Britney: 1970 2wd K/5 Blazer (it staying)
Jessica: 1967 2wd SWB (not yet decided on furture)
Helga: 1972 4x4 3/4ton LWB (going to go too)

AIM:Alexmart1
Mountain View, Cali

Longhorn Man · 05-24-2002, 07:46 PM

You wanna know the real interesting thing here, the Explorers in Austrailia all come with Good Year rubber, and they had left rear blow outs too. Not as many, but they DID have them.

------------------
'69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man
I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it.
FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite.
E-mail longhornmail@yahoo.com
My name is Andy...not Randy...I'm in Ohio...Not Illinois...close enough?
Columbus Ohio

72'BBGMCSGCC · 05-24-2002, 08:11 PM

All I know is I've got a 96' explorer and the only problems with the firestones were picking up nails and wearing out too fast. I have michelins now and they might be more expensive, but worth the money.

shooter · 05-25-2002, 06:53 AM

I heard that Firestone replaced alot of their tires with General tires and they had the same percentage of blow outs.

------------------
71 Chevy LWB
70 Chevy Stepside
6 cyl. soon to be v-8
Semper Fi

05-24-2002, 12:07 PM	#3
71BBK10 Teufelhunden Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Camp Pendelton Ca Posts: 572	i don't race or anything but i would like to see the bill that congress is passing or trying to pass. thanks __________________ 1971 K10 lwb fleetside 402 T350 205

05-24-2002, 12:50 PM	#5
imaindianoutlaw GMC SHORT FLEET F/S Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT PENNSYLVANNIA Posts: 2,117	You Have got to be kidding me! ------------------ Charles W. Hein S. Williamsport PA imaindianoutlaw@yahoo.com REFRIGERATION TECH 1968 Rolling chassis swb 1971 Rolling chassis lwb FOR SALE 1963 Pontiac Tempest 2 dr 1956 Pontiac 2 dr complete for parts __________________ CHARLES WADE HEIN HVACR FOREMAN. LEWISBURG U.S.P.

05-24-2002, 01:38 PM	#6
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	Just my take on the Firestone/Ford deal - in my opinion, there were three parties responsible in each of the accidents, and each was equally responsible. Ford for making the Explorer as unstable as it is (granted, it's an SUV but it could've been wider), Firestone for making the flawed tires, and the end-user for abusing the flawed tires. From what I can tell, the tires were fine as long as they weren't ever abused - they couldn't be overloaded or underinflated at all. Which was the flaw in the design/manufacturing; a product should be able to stand up to some misuse and abuse to be safe. But many of the pics of rolled Explorers that I saw had one thing in common - the tire with delaminated tread was often on a steel wheel, like it was a spare, and the others were alloys like you almost always see on Explorers. Which leads me to believe it was underinflated, as nearly everyone's spare is to an extent. And I've started ranting again. Sorry, I just partied too hard last night and I can't talk much, so I type more. =P ------------------ Project 1970 - soon to be seen at http://milhouse.treylis.org:81/ __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

05-24-2002, 01:51 PM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,714	Most of the Firestones that failed were either 8 years old or 100k+ miles also. WAY beyond service life in addition to underinflation and overload. I saw an Exploder with a left rear tire off the rim this morning. Woman went round corner too fast on damp road. Tagged the curb with both drivers side tires, and it peeled the left rear off the rim. Obviously Firestone's fault she was a DUMB A$$. She is really lucky it stayed shiny side up. I rode in a guy's 2 door Exploder last summer to go look at a jeep. I've never been in ANYTHING that wagged it's butt so hard down the road. CJ-5 is MUCH more stable as ridiculous as that sounds. ------------------ 70 GMC 3/4 ton Sierra Grande 402/TH400 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert TPI & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 72 Datsun 240Z-ol' reliable __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

05-24-2002, 02:00 PM	#8
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	ahh, Big brother is messing with your tires, not your trucks __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

05-24-2002, 11:27 AM	#1
BigDave I poop on Ford! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston Area Posts: 295	Big Brother is Messing with Our Trucks Some of you may or may not be into street/track racing. However, just because you're not using these tires now doesn't mean you might not want to in the future. Speak up and help the rest of us how currently use these products while enjoying our hobby. There is legislation pending that could either make DOT approved racing tires illegal, or just make them so expensive that they will be unaffordable to most or the manufacturers will simply stop making them. The whole Firestone/Ford thing has caused this. If you feel as strongly as I do about this, then please follow the instructions contained in the link provided and let them know how you feel. Remember, government isn't necessarily a bad thing when taken in moderation. Check out: http://www.hoosiertire.com/fmvsshlp.HTM Please feel free to pass this around to any other boards/lists you are a member of. ------------------ 1972 Chevy Blazer 2WD - 400 SBC, bored, ported/polished heads, 9.5:1 dished pistons, Lunati 480/292 cam, electronic ignition, Edlebrock Performer intake, tricked out Rochester 850CFM Quadrajet, long tube headers, Flowmaster 40's, TH350-C with lock-up switch, 2800 rpm stall, shift kit, custom driveshaft, stock GM 12- bolt rear with Auburn Pro Series limited slip 3.73's, 2" drop spindles, 2" drop rear coils, track bar kit, front/rear stabilizers. 1999 30th Anniversary Trans-Am Coupe #1494 - M6, Flow-tech cut-out, Flowmaster, free mods. One of 292 coupes with M6 and in-dash CD. __________________ 1972 Chevy Cheyenne - LWB, factory 402BB 2005 Chevy Suburban LT 2006 Chrysler 300C - SRT8

05-24-2002, 12:05 PM	#2
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	And we all know that Firestone was responsible for all of the "left rear tires" that blew out on those Fords.

05-24-2002, 12:49 PM	#4
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	firestone got ripped by ford! IMO. ------------------ 67 stepside 4x4 Owensville MO mudder67@hotmail.com

05-24-2002, 02:34 PM	#9
thood Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: beaverton, or. usa Posts: 60	I posted a reply and coments at the link. I think that this is a misguided atempt to do the right thing. let me know if there are other things we can do to help. ------------------ 70 swb restored by myself and some help from this bord!! I hope to drive it some day!! portland OR __________________ 70 swb restored by myself and some help from this board!! I hope to drive it some day!! portland OR

05-24-2002, 02:56 PM	#10
Maximum Overdrive December 21, 2012 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Black Eagle, Montana Posts: 1,634	I had 4 of the firestones on my truck and there was nothing wrong with the tire. of coarse I keep my tires fully inflated. Firestones fault in this matter was to let ford misuse their product and not say anything about as they were more interested in sales then potential problems that could occur from this misuse down the road. The tires may have been ok to run with the lower pressure but as we all know most people do not run proper tire pressure so these tires were probably running pressure even lower then ford recommended. __________________ *"!Ama Sua, Ama Kjella, Ama Lllulla!"*

05-24-2002, 03:24 PM	#11
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	Sounds like a "General Discussion" topic to me. __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

05-24-2002, 07:38 PM	#12
Alexis Member since 2000 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico Posts: 7,879	i sent in a form, general board, hmm i dont know this part of the board gets looked at more so i think it should hold up for while at least. like maybe give it a week or so then move it. it not my call just my opinion ------------------ Britney: 1970 2wd K/5 Blazer (it staying) Jessica: 1967 2wd SWB (not yet decided on furture) Helga: 1972 4x4 3/4ton LWB (going to go too) AIM:Alexmart1 Mountain View, Cali

05-24-2002, 07:46 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	You wanna know the real interesting thing here, the Explorers in Austrailia all come with Good Year rubber, and they had left rear blow outs too. Not as many, but they DID have them. ------------------ '69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it. FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite. E-mail longhornmail@yahoo.com My name is Andy...not Randy...I'm in Ohio...Not Illinois...close enough? Columbus Ohio

05-24-2002, 08:11 PM	#14
72'BBGMCSGCC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fletcher,N.C U.S.A Posts: 162	All I know is I've got a 96' explorer and the only problems with the firestones were picking up nails and wearing out too fast. I have michelins now and they might be more expensive, but worth the money.

05-25-2002, 06:53 AM	#15
shooter Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Atlanta(Cartersville)GA Posts: 194	I heard that Firestone replaced alot of their tires with General tires and they had the same percentage of blow outs. ------------------ 71 Chevy LWB 70 Chevy Stepside 6 cyl. soon to be v-8 Semper Fi __________________ USMC SEMPER FI



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